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The Darwin Elevator (Dire Earth Cycle) by…
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The Darwin Elevator (Dire Earth Cycle) (edition 2013)

by Jason M. Hough

Series: Dire Earth Cycle (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
4243459,176 (3.57)19
Fiction. Science Fiction. Thriller. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Jason M. Hough??s pulse-pounding debut combines the drama, swagger, and vivid characters of Joss Whedon??s Firefly with the talent of sci-fi author John Scalzi.

 
In the mid-23rd century, Darwin, Australia, stands as the last human city on Earth. The world has succumbed to an alien plague, with most of the population transformed into mindless, savage creatures. The planet??s refugees flock to Darwin, where a space elevator??created by the architects of this apocalypse, the Builders??emits a plague-suppressing aura.
 
Skyler Luiken has a rare immunity to the plague. Backed by an international crew of fellow ??immunes,? he leads missions into the dangerous wasteland beyond the aura??s edge to find the resources Darwin needs to stave off collapse. But when the Elevator starts to malfunction, Skyler is tapped??along with the brilliant scientist, Dr. Tania Sharma??to solve the mystery of the failing alien technology and save the ragged remnants of humanity.
Praise for The Darwin Elevator
 
??A hell of a fun book.???James S. A. Corey, New York Times bestselling author of Abaddon??s Gate
??[Jason M.] Hough??s first novel combines the rapid-fire action and memorable characters associated with Joss Whedon??s short-lived Firefly TV series with the accessibility and scientific acumen of [James S. A.] Corey??s ??Expanse?? series.???Library Journal (starred review)
 
??The best part about alien stories is their mystery, and Jason Hough understands that like no other. Full of compelling characters and thick with tension, The Darwin Elevator delivers both despair and hope along with a gigantic dose of wonder. It??s a brilliant debut, and Hough can take my money whenever he writes anything from now on.???Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles
 
??Newcomer Hough displays a talent for imaginative plotting and realistic dialogue, and the brisk pacing and cliffhanger ending will keep readers enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next installment.???Publishers Weekly
 
??Jason M. Hough does a great job with this huge story. The world of Darwin and the Elevator is deliciously complex and satisfying. Skyler, Tania, and all the other characters are delightfully drawn and fun to spend time with. . . . The story unfolds with just the right balance of high adventure, espionage, humor, and emotional truth. . . . As soon as you finish, you??ll want more.???Analog
 
??A debut novel unlike any other . . . This is something special. Something iconic. The Darwin Elevator is full of majesty and wonder, mystery and mayhem, colorful characters and insidious schemes.???SF Signal
 
??Fun, action-packed and entertaining . . . a sure contender for science fiction debut of the year!???Pat??s Fantasy Hotlist
 
??Claustrophobic, intense, and satisfying . . . I couldn??t put this book down. The Darwin Elevator depicts a terrifying world, suspends it from a delicate thread, and forces you to read with held brea
… (more)
Member:unabridgedchick
Title:The Darwin Elevator (Dire Earth Cycle)
Authors:Jason M. Hough
Info:Del Rey (2013), Mass Market Paperback, 496 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:****
Tags:None

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The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough

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» See also 19 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 34 (next | show all)
I am swinging into full summer reading mode now. Action packed adventure stories are my friends. The Darwin Elevator has been sitting on my Kindle for some time now. I have so many books to read that it isn't surprising that gems by authors I don't know take me awhile to get to. Let me tell you people. This one was a gem. It hits the ground running and never takes its foot off the gas pedal. It has everything a good summer read should have. Lots of action. Great characters to root for. Bad guys you want to see get theirs and an intriguing mystery wrapped around a great science fiction novel.

The first of three books in the Dire Earth series. The book is easy on the eyes. It is a fast and fun read. I loved this story in particular. An alien civilization does a fly by and drops a space elevator into the middle of Darwin, Australia and then disappears. Mankind begins to reverse engineer the technology and before you know it we are building space stations connected to the elevator. The only problem is the elevator didn't just bring technology. It brings an infection that turns anyone outside of the aura of the space elevator into a raving lunatic. Soon earth is a vast wasteland and the lone survivors are in Darwin and the space stations. Of course, there is also the looming mystery of where the hell did the aliens who dropped the elevator go and are they ever coming back.

Did I say I loved this book. I know I am getting a little redundant but really you should go read this. It reads like a cross between a space opera and a western. It has some of my favorite new characters in fiction. People you can really root for. The plot is great but Hough saves up some really nice twists. You think you know where it is going and the wham, left turn. Definitely a series I won't be waiting long to read the next book. Mr. Hough is a now on my must read list. He should be on yours also. ( )
  cdaley | Nov 2, 2023 |
477 ( )
  freixas | Mar 31, 2023 |
Really fun, interesting, exciting book, until the end where it is revealed it's not a stand-alone book and that few, if any questions will be answered in this book. ( )
  AZBob1951 | Oct 27, 2021 |
I came across this author via Kevin Hearne (author of the IRON DRUID CHRONICLES) as he was helping get the word out, as well as sharing some promotional event earlier this year. The book sounded interesting enough, and once I was able to get the time I sat down to read it. Unfortunately, I just could not get into the story. I find my self not 'into' the more Sci-Fi type books anymore. Well, let's revise that and space-related.

Hough's writing style was fine, and the story line sounded interesting. I am sure if I had stuck with it, and the next two books, I would enjoy the entire series. I only feel bad that I just couldn't get into the story. ( )
  Ralphd00d | May 4, 2021 |
I don't usually review books. And I won't this time, either. I just want to share a couple of opinions...

The premise of the book was fun. The world building and character development, not so much. I found myself not really caring what happened to the characters at all. The protagonist, Skyler Luiken, was not a good leader and had the charisma of a wet sock. He second guessed himself and his crew didn't even respect him. Ick.

I finished the book out of sheer curiosity and I ended up feeling really unsatisfied, and happy it was finished. There are two more books in this series, but I doubt I'll get around to reading them.. ( )
  bored_panda | Jan 8, 2021 |
Showing 1-5 of 34 (next | show all)
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Epigraph
They said "The meek shall inherit the Earth" like it would be a good thing. Thanks a lot, assholes. -Skadz, 2279.
Dedication
First words
Blood streamed down the inside of the tiny vial and pooled at the bottom.
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If someone you just met repeatedly uses your first name in conversation they’re either lying to you or hiding something.
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Wikipedia in English (1)

Fiction. Science Fiction. Thriller. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Jason M. Hough??s pulse-pounding debut combines the drama, swagger, and vivid characters of Joss Whedon??s Firefly with the talent of sci-fi author John Scalzi.

 
In the mid-23rd century, Darwin, Australia, stands as the last human city on Earth. The world has succumbed to an alien plague, with most of the population transformed into mindless, savage creatures. The planet??s refugees flock to Darwin, where a space elevator??created by the architects of this apocalypse, the Builders??emits a plague-suppressing aura.
 
Skyler Luiken has a rare immunity to the plague. Backed by an international crew of fellow ??immunes,? he leads missions into the dangerous wasteland beyond the aura??s edge to find the resources Darwin needs to stave off collapse. But when the Elevator starts to malfunction, Skyler is tapped??along with the brilliant scientist, Dr. Tania Sharma??to solve the mystery of the failing alien technology and save the ragged remnants of humanity.
Praise for The Darwin Elevator
 
??A hell of a fun book.???James S. A. Corey, New York Times bestselling author of Abaddon??s Gate
??[Jason M.] Hough??s first novel combines the rapid-fire action and memorable characters associated with Joss Whedon??s short-lived Firefly TV series with the accessibility and scientific acumen of [James S. A.] Corey??s ??Expanse?? series.???Library Journal (starred review)
 
??The best part about alien stories is their mystery, and Jason Hough understands that like no other. Full of compelling characters and thick with tension, The Darwin Elevator delivers both despair and hope along with a gigantic dose of wonder. It??s a brilliant debut, and Hough can take my money whenever he writes anything from now on.???Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles
 
??Newcomer Hough displays a talent for imaginative plotting and realistic dialogue, and the brisk pacing and cliffhanger ending will keep readers enthralled and eagerly awaiting the next installment.???Publishers Weekly
 
??Jason M. Hough does a great job with this huge story. The world of Darwin and the Elevator is deliciously complex and satisfying. Skyler, Tania, and all the other characters are delightfully drawn and fun to spend time with. . . . The story unfolds with just the right balance of high adventure, espionage, humor, and emotional truth. . . . As soon as you finish, you??ll want more.???Analog
 
??A debut novel unlike any other . . . This is something special. Something iconic. The Darwin Elevator is full of majesty and wonder, mystery and mayhem, colorful characters and insidious schemes.???SF Signal
 
??Fun, action-packed and entertaining . . . a sure contender for science fiction debut of the year!???Pat??s Fantasy Hotlist
 
??Claustrophobic, intense, and satisfying . . . I couldn??t put this book down. The Darwin Elevator depicts a terrifying world, suspends it from a delicate thread, and forces you to read with held brea

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